Sociedade dos Engenhos da Calheta

Sociedade dos Engenhos da Calheta is a working sugar-cane mill and rum distillery on Avenida D. Manuel I in Calheta, Madeira. Its small free museum displays old machinery used to process sugar cane, and you may see the cane being crushed. At the bar, taste Madeira rums, fresh sugar-cane juice or poncha, and try coffee with cake. Staff can explain differences between the drinks. There is also a small shop selling bottled drinks, so check that the museum is staffed if you plan to buy something.

A working sugar-cane mill

Sociedade dos Engenhos da Calheta is one of Madeira’s surviving sugar mills. Sugar cane is processed here, and the distillery makes rum from sugar-cane syrup. The machinery links the present-day production to Madeira’s sugar industry and its history on the island.

When the mill is operating, you may see sugar cane being crushed, an early step in producing the raw material for distillation. Fresh juice is also available, with a chance to taste it during the harvest season.

The museum, bar and tastings

The free museum has old machines used in rum production and explains the local sugar and molasses process. After looking around, head to the bar to sample Madeira rums, including aged expressions. Tastings have been priced from €1 to €4 for large shots. Staff can talk you through differences in flavour and use, as well as the history of rum and poncha.

The bar also serves poncha, coffee and cake. A terrace gives you a place to sit with a drink, and the small shop sells bottled drinks. If buying a bottle is part of your visit, go when the museum is staffed.